Lead Editor: Curtis Young

Contributing Authors: Pam Bennett, Joe Boggs, Cindy Meyer, Jim Chatfield, Erik DraperDave Dyke, Gary Gao, Tim Malinich, Bridget Meiring, Amy Stone and Curtis Young

Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine provides timely information about Ohio growing conditions, pest, disease, and cultural problems. Updated weekly between April andOctober, this information is useful for those who are managing a commercial nursery, garden center, or landscape business or someone who just wants to keep their yard

looking good all summer.

BYGL September 22, 2011Thursday, 22 September 2011 16:56

This is the 25th 2011 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators,Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

In this Issue:

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK: Annual (Cup Flower); Perennial (Switchgrass); Woody (Yellow Birch); Vegetable (Sweet Potato); and Weed (Golden Rod).2. HORT SHORTS: Ohio Master Gardener Volunteers Donate more than $50,000.00 to Secrest Arboretum's Renewal Effort; Tomatoes and Peppers Resist Ripening;

and Secrest Celebration.3. BUG BYTES: Unveiling of Emerald Ash Borer Outreach Item; Boring Black Locust (Locust Borers); Home Space Invaders (Hackberry Psyllids, Boxelder Bug,

Western Conifer Seed Leaffooted Bug, Attic Fly (a.k.a. Cluster Fly), Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug); Yellowjackets areBuzzing; and Mega Wasps on the Wing (Giant Ichneumon Wasps).

4. DISEASE DIGEST: Latest Blight on Tomatoes (Late Blight), and Horticulturist Cleanse Thy Landscape.5. TURF TIPS: Honey Mushrooms Explode on the Scene.6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Asian Longhorned Beetle Update, and Pre-Emergent Herbicides Lost in Weeds.7. WEATHERWATCH.8. COMING ATTRACTIONS: ISA Presents Bucking Hardwood Logs for Urban Professionals; Arboblitz; Cincinnati Area Professional Green Infrastructure Network

October Meeting; 6th Annual Why Trees Matter Forum; and 2012 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences Set.9. BYGLOSOPHY.

APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES.

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK.*ANNUAL - AUGUSTA BLUE SKIES NIREMBERGIA OR CUP FLOWER (Nirembergia hybrid 'Augusta BlueSkies')

This delicate annual is one of the toughest in the OSU Extension Herbaceous Ornamental Field Trials in ClarkCounty http://mastergardener.osu.edu/?q=content/herbaceous-ornamental-field-trials-clark-county . The plant is a roundedmound that grows to around 1' tall by about 10-12" wide, and covered with bluish cup-shaped flowers that don't stop

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blooming all summer. The fine foliage is green and adds to the delicate appearance. It does well in sun or shade and makesan excellent border plant or a spiller plant for a container. The only requirement is good drainage!

For more information, see

NC State University information on NirembergiaCornell Information on Cup Flower

*PERENNIAL - SWITCHGRASS (Panicum virgatum)This large perennial grass grows between 3-7' tall with a 2-3' upright, open spread. Blooming from mid-summer until fall,switchgrass has pink-tinged, branched flower panicles that are so delicate they look like an airy cloud around the plant.Some have trouble with this ornamental grass reseeding, but when grown in a mulched bed, seedling emergence seems tobe diminished.

Switchgrass also has green leaves that turn to an excellent gold fall color, standing out in a fall perennial border. It adapts toa wide range of soil, however, give it really rich, fertile soil and it flops! It prefers full sun, though it will tolerate light shade.The panicles turn a beige color in the fall and persist into winter; the seeds are a good food source for birds.

Try cultivars such as 'Cloud Nine' (light metallic blue foliage topped with finely-textured golden flower panicles), 'DallasBlues' (noted for grayed blue-green foliage with later flowers and a rich winter foliage color), and 'Northwind' (4-5' tall withthe best vertical form of cultivars of switchgrass).

For more information, see:

Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening information on Panicum virgatumUniversity of Illinois Extension Information on Switchgrass

*WOODY - YELLOW BIRCH (Betula alleghaniensis)This medium sized native birch, which ranges from Maine to Georgia and west to Ohio, occurs in woodlands along with its cousin sweet or cherry birch (Betula lenta).These trees with their attractive plate-like cherry stems lack the whitish bark that many associate with birch, although both have two quite spectacular features. First, theyhave intense lemon-yellow to golden fall color. Here is how horticulturist Michael Dirr describes its autumnal appearance in his "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants": "Inmy mental travels, the spectacular round-headed form of yellow birch in golden autumn robes is forever embedded in my brain cells." BYGLer Jim Chatfield has a 40'multi-stemmed sweet birch in the Chatscape, thanks to a gift from Dawes Arboretum 25 years ago, this fall foliage feature will arrive in about a month. Secondly, yellowand sweet birches are year-round 24/7 treats for the scent of wintergreen in the twigs. Oil of wintergreen was once harvested from these stems for birch beer, but for theowner of one of these trees, the simple gift of chewing or just scratching the twigs is a wonderfully fresh reminder of natural essence.

*VEGETABLE - SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas)This herbaceous vine, related to the flowering morning glory that graces many gardens, produces large starchy and sweetedible roots. Native to Central and South America, the sweet potato will succeed in areas that can provide a long warmgrowing season. In Ohio, sweet potatoes are started from "slips", rooted cuttings or sprouts from a growing vine. The slipsare grown in southern states or greenhouse grown and shipped north during the proper planting season (late Spring). Slipsare planted 18" apart in rows 3' apart. The vines quickly develop to cover the entire area crowding out most weeds.

Sweet potatoes can be harvested beginning in late summer and harvest should be completed shortly after frost. Cold soiltemperatures reduce the storage life of the sweet potato and rot organisms can quickly move from frosted vines to the roots.Dig carefully to avoid damaging the tuberous roots.

After harvest, the roots must be cured to develop their sweet flavor. After they are dried for a few hours, they are moved intoa warm (85F) area with high humidity for two weeks. After this initial curing they can be stored long term in a cool area (55F).

Most varieties available are orange-fleshed ('Centennial', 'Georgia Jet', and the non-trailing 'Vardaman') but white-fleshed varieties might still be found. As a houseplantor school project, a sweet potato will grow an abundance of fine roots, leaves and vines from a tuberous root suspended in water. They can also be stored throughSpring to grow a crop of slips for next year's garden.

The term yam is often used interchangeably with sweet potato. Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are native to Africa and Asia and produce very large starchy tubers. They growonly in the tropics. However, because the two names are often thought to indicate the same vegetable, USDA labeling rules require "sweet potato" to be included anytimethe word "yam" is used.

Ornamental sweet potatoes (also Ipomoea batatas) are selected for their foliage and growth habit and not for the eating or keeping quality of the roots. Additionally,pesticides used to grow ornamental sweet potatoes may not have been labeled for use on vegetables - use caution when gleaning ornamental sweet potato tubers.

For more information, see:

University of Illinois Extension fact sheet

*WEED - GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.)A weed or a welcome addition to the landscape? That's surely a fair question. After all, the bright golden panicles of this commonresident of fields, roadsides, and sometimes gardens can be a very attractive addition to the landscape from late August throughOctober. It even makes a wonderful cut flower. What about the common perception that it is a major culprit in fall hay fever episodes?Not so. Goldenrod pollen is often blamed for causing hay fever; however, the true culprit isragweed. Both plants bloom from late summer to early fall, but ragweeds have small greenflowers that unleash huge amounts of pollen into the winds. Goldenrods produce far lesspollen because they are both wind and insect-pollinated.

Over 60 species of goldenrod are found in northeast and north central North America.Perhaps one of the most intriguing cultivars for landscape use is Solidago shortii 'Solarcascade'. 'Solar cascade' is a federally endangered wildflower native to a few smallpopulations in Indiana and northern Kentucky that has been extensively grown,propagated, and promoted by Steve Foltz, Horticulture Director, Cincinnati Zoo & BotanicalGarden. 'Solar cascade' is a low growing (2-3' height) plant that does not spread as much

as other more aggressive spreading species as most other goldenrods due to its shorter rhizomes. For more information ongoldenrod please refer to University of Minnesota Yard & Garden Brief, "Goldenrod and Ragweed"http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h530goldenrod.html. For more information on Solidago shortii 'SolarCascade' refer to http://www.plantplaces.com/perl/viewplantdetails.pl?filter=plant&plant_ID=430&Region= .

For more information, see:

University of Minnesota Fact Sheet on Goldenrod and RagweedInformation on Goldenrod from plantplaces.com

2. HORT SHORTS.A. OHIO MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS DONATE MORE THAN $50,000.00 TO SECRESTARBORETUM'S RENEWAL EFFORT

Erik Draper presented a check for $50,084.00 on behalf of the OSUE MGVs to Arboretum Director, Ken Cochran. The moneywas donated by counties as well as individual MGVs. In addition, Dan Poast, Miami County MGV along with Geauga Countyvolunteers organized work days at the Arboretum and donated more than 2,000 hours of service. Between the money andthe work hours, OSUE MGVs have given more than $93,000.00 to the Arboretum renewal effort. Congratulations to all of thecounties and volunteers who participated in this effort. If you are interested in donating to the arboretum fund, go to: http://www.giveto.osu.edu/secrestfund. For more information on the MGV donation, go to: http://mastergardener.osu.edu .

For more information, see:

OSU Master Gardener Volunteer Program Homepage

B. TOMATOES AND PEPPERS RESIST RIPENINGMany BYGLers stated that they had tomato and pepper plants loaded with green fruit, but they don't seem to be ripening atall. First and foremost, tomatoes and bell peppers are very sensitive to ambient air temperatures. Tomato and bell peppercolor, flavor, plant growth and fruit production are optimal when daily temperatures are 70-75F, with nighttime temperatures60-65F. High temperatures, specifically anything above 85F during bloom and ripening periods, will result not only inreduced fruit set (bud abort), but fruit flavor, texture and color will also be directly affected.

This "tomato time-out" is mainly due to the plant using most of its resources, like water and nutrients, in addition to itsmanufactured photosynthetic products, to simply survive temperature extremes. More resources maybe partitioned toproduce more roots in an attempt to access more water which causes the plant to suddenly cease to grow. Remember, theplants are attempting sustain all of their physiological processes, like cool its leaf tissues, and continue to grow in order to

produce new blooms and new foliage, and also ripen fruit, all at the same time! That requires a huge amount of plantresources and energy when environmental factors are perfect, so imagine what that is like when the plant is trying to cope

with an environmental stress of…oh let's say 98F and dry, hot constant winds blowing!

Tomatoes do not like cooler temperatures either. In fact, temperatures lower than 50F will cause a type of chilling injury. It may take 2-3 days for tomatoes to return totheir previous levels of photosynthetic activity, even after just a brief chill period. For this reason, the best way to preserve the color and flavor of vine ripened tomatoes isto keep them in a cool place out on the counter instead of inside the refrigerator! As the environmental conditions experienced by tomatoes and bell peppers thisgrowing season were reviewed, everyone suddenly realized that just having green tomatoes...is really a good thing!

For more information, see:

Virginia Cooperative Extension--- Tomato factsheet # 426 418

C. SECREST CELEBRATION September 16, 2011 was quite a day at the Secrest Arboretum of Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research andDevelopment Center (OARDC) in Wooster. It was one year after the F-2 Tornado with its 130 mph winds ripped through theWayne County community of Wooster, damaging countless homes and other buildings along a narrow swath from just southof downtown and then eastward toward Dalton. The winds downed thousandsof trees including more than 1000 trees 6" in diameter and larger at the OARDC(landscape value over $1.5 million). Especially in light of all the violenttornadoes from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Joplin, Missouri this year, we are allthankful that there were no serious physical injuries from this Tornado inWooster. This is remarkable with the level of winds that occurred. Additionally, itwas fortunate that it passed about a half mile south of thousands of peopleclustered at the final day of the Wayne County Fair that September night.

This year on the morning of September 16, OARDC Director and OSU Associate Vice-President Steve Slack talked of thatmiracle of no loss of life or serious physical injury from the tornado, of the generosity of hundreds of people who havecontributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the renewal of Secrest Arboretum, of the resiliency and forward-thinking ofOARDC staff, students, and faculty in response to the tornado. He talked of the recent final decision, after extended discussions with insurers, almost one year in themaking, of the upcoming complete razing and rebuilding of the Agricultural Engineering Building on the Wooster Campus, a key working facility for example of CharlesKrause, Heping Zhu, and many others with USDA-Agricultural Research Service and their sustainable spray technology and other innovations for the Green Industry.

Later in the day there was the dedication and tours of the new Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research (PAAR) Facility atOARDC. PAAR is the only facility in Ohio and one of only two nationally with capacity for both plant and animal researchclassified as Biosafety Level 3-Agriculture (learn more at http://oardc.osu.edu/paar). Then starting at 1:30 p.m. cameprograms in the outdoor John Streeter Amphitheatre (now with loge seating!) which is right in the middle of therhododendron valley that was directly in the path of the tornado. Dr. Bobby Moser, OSU Vice President and Dean of theCollege of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences spoke of the trauma of the tornado and the inspirational efforts ofall those responding. Erik Draper presented a check to Secrest Arboretum for over $50,000 from the OSU Extension countyMaster Gardener Volunteer programs throughout Ohio. As Pam Bennett, OSUE Master Gardener coordinator notes, thisdonation, matched by over $40,000 in volunteer hours from Master Gardeners at Secrest this year, is an evocation of howmuch the Arboretum means to us all.

Ken Cochran, Secrest Arboretum curator, then spoke of his enduring faith in the renewal of Secrest, in his gratitude to all fortheir partnership relationships with Secrest, including the wonderful Wooster Montessori class that was there this September 16 day to enjoy this renewal; young buddingplant lovers who raised money themselves one dime and one dollar at a time. Kenny also noted the truly remarkable response of the Green Industry in the Arboretumrenewal, from the $25,000 donation from Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) soon after last year's winds of change, to the PLANET day of work in difficultconditions this spring, to the growing, living donations of trees that are repopulating Secrest almost daily, including over 200 trees planted in the Buckeye Forest valley

just weeks before as a service project of incoming students from the College of Wooster. And then, the group took a tour,ending with the rebuilt Jack and Deb Miller Teaching Pavilion, where a group of dignitaries from OSU were joined by ONLAExecutive Director Kevin Thompson in planting the Thousandth Tree, a joyous renewal of the growing greening of Ohio sincethe tornado a year earlier.

Then, thanks to Kenny and Joe Cochran and Paul Snyder and Stephen Kelleher, Secrest returned a gift-in-kind to theSeptember 16 attendees. Each co-hort received their choice of one of four tree seedlings harvested from the seeds in thefruits of fallen trees from last year (yellow birch, umbrella magnolia, katsuratree, and dawnredwood). These trees will result inhundreds of Secret Arboreta throughout Ohio. Then, at 3:30 p.m., the ONLA came to party! Cider and donuts, andbluegrass, oh my. Gied Stroombeck was there to talk plants to Ken Cochran in that rhododendron valley reconfigured. Wetook a guided tour of the Buckeye Forest led by Kenny in all his teaching pride and glory. Heping Zhu and Charles Krausedemonstrated the pesticide application technology that is transforming the Green Industry. Dan Herms of OSU and Jennifer

Koch of the US Forest Service dedicated their new ash germplasm study at OARDC, planting the first tree at exactly 5:29 p.m., one year to the minute after the Tornado

of Wooster roared through. It was a day of renewal and appreciation for the Green Industry, for OSU and all of our partnerships. Our roots run deep, and as Robert Frostwrote:

A trees leaves may be ever so good

So may its bark, so may its wood,

But unless you put the right thing to the root

It never will show much flower or fruit.

3. BUG BYTES.A. UNVEILING OF EMERALD ASH BORER OUTREACH ITEM.

At this year's Farm Science Review (FSR), the Gwynne Conservation area was sporting a new emerald ash borer (EAB) outreach tool toengage attendees. While most everyone has probably played a game of corn-hole, only visitors to the Gwynne have had theopportunity to play "D"-hole.

What is that you might ask? Instead of a round hole, the shape in which bean-bag tossers aim for on the board is the same shape asthe exit hole of EAB. The ash boards also include diagnostic photos for players to become more familiar with the signs and symptomsof EAB. The boards where designed and constructed by Extensioneers Gary Graham, Lauren Farr, and Amy Stone.

While today (September 22, 2011) is the last day of the Review, don't be surprised to see the "D"-hole games popping up at otherExtension events around Ohio. If you see these special boards, stop by and try your hand at hitting the target and learning more aboutEAB.

B. BORING BLACK LOCUST.Joe Boggs reported that the intense yellow blooms of GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.) are becoming spectacular in centraland southern Ohio. Of course, according to Joe, what really makes this weed/landscape perennial of great interest are visitsby LOCUST BORERS (Megacyllene robiniae). Indeed, the coloration of this black and yellow beetle seems to be in sync withallowing the beetle to dodge predators as it feeds on the pollen of yellow-flowered goldenrod.

The locust borer is a type of long-horned beetle (family Cerambycidae), so named because of their extremely longantennae. The beetles are 3/4-7/8" long with reddish legs. They have tapering cylindrical black bodies that are covered byyellow bands and two distinct "W"-shaped markings on their wing covers. The borer spends the winter as first instar larvaeinside small hibernation chambers bored into the xylem. The larvae become active in the spring to tunnel and feed throughthe heartwood throughout the season. Adults emerge to feed, mate, and lay eggs in late summer to early fall.

Although generally associated with producing large holes on main stems and branches of mature black locust (Robiniapseudoacacia) trees, BYGLers have observed damaging infestations of this insect on 2" diameter nursery stock. The

damage caused by these stem borers can kill small trees. Damage to large forest trees can cause structural weakening resulting in branch and trunk breakage.Insecticide applications to trunks to protect nursery stock, or small landscape trees, should be made now to prevent damage by this borer.

For more information, see:

U.S. Forest Service Insect and Disease Leaflet

C. HOME SPACE INVADERS.Several BYGLers reported that with "fall in air," a number of fall arthropod home invaders are poised to make their way intoOhio homes. Indeed, some are already knocking at the door! Common home-crashers that are found in the state include:HACKBERRY PSYLLIDS (Pachypsylla spp.); the BOXELDER BUG (Boisea trivittatus); the WESTERN CONIFER SEEDLEAFFOOTED BUG (Leptoglassus occidentalis); the ATTIC FLY (a.k.a. CLUSTER FLY) (Pollenia rudis); the notoriousMULTICOLORED ASIAN LADY BEETLE (Harmonia axyridis); and the soon-to-be notorious BROWN MARMORATED STINKBUG (Halyomorpha halys).

Curtis Young reported that he received a phone call from a besiegedhomeowner waging swatting battles against hackberry gall psyllids. Thepsyllids look like miniature cicadas and hundreds may collect on and aroundwindow screens, possibly attracted by lights from within the home or by heatradiating from the home. Large numbers of buzz-bombing psyllids can be very

annoying, and they may occasionally bite!

The tiny, dark brownish-red psyllids arise from galls formed earlier in the season on hackberry leaves and petioles. Psyllidhome invasions are often blamed on the psyllids (P. celtidismamma) that produce the descriptively named hackberry nipplegalls. However, there are several other species of psyllids that also produce galls on hackberry and can emerge in largenumbers in the fall including, P. umbilicus, that produces hackberry button galls on leaves and, P. venusta, that produceshuge hackberry petiole galls.

Joe Boggs noted that he has seen several adult western conifer seed leaffooted bugs loitering around the window screens on his home in southwest Ohio; no doubtplanning a little breaking and entering! The 1/2-3/4" long brown colored bugs spend evening hours buzzing around porch lights and occasionally they find their way intohomes. Although adults have unusually long sucking mouthparts, they are not a threat to homeowners. The bugs are named for the flat, leaf or web like structures foundnear the end of the hind legs. In Ohio, these insects prefer to feed on the cones of Scotch, pitch, and red pines, as well as Colorado and blue spruce. Homes near highconcentrations of conifers trees may be more likely to experience a visit from these footloose nomads.

The best way to deal with these home invaders is to prevent them from gaining entry in the first place. Find and seal-off entry points such as cracks around windows,doors, or utility pipes. Poorly attached home siding and rips in window screens provide an open invitation. Check homes for unprotected vents, such as bathroom andkitchen vents, or unscreened attic vents. Also, while in the attic, look for openings around soffits. Hackberry psyllids may require more drastic (and expensive) measuressince the tiny insects can pass through "standard-size" mesh screens. Homes located near large numbers of hackberry trees may need to have standard screensreplaced with smaller mesh screens.

Once inside the home, the best method to manage the offending invader is to "Hooverize'em." Swatting or otherwise smashing the invader could cause more damagethan leaving them alone since fluids inside their bodies can leave permanent stains on furniture, carpets, and walls. Thus, the vacuum cleaner is the preferred method forgiving the invader the bums rush. However, make certain the vacuum cleaner is a "by-pass" type, meaning refuse is not passed through an impeller. Otherwise, you willcreate a horrifying bug-blender.

For more information, see:

N.C. State University Entomology Fact SheetPenn State Entomology Fact Sheet

D. YELLOWJACKETS ARE BUZZING.Pam Bennett, Curtis Young, Amy Stone, and Joe Boggs all reported that yellowjackets (Vespula spp. and Dolichovespulaspp.) seemed to come buzzing out of nowhere in their parts of Ohio to wreak havoc on outdoor activities where people,food-drinks, and yellowjackets may converge. Each noted that they had received few phones calls filled with stingingcommentaries about yellowjackets until late last week. Populations were unusually low last season throughout much of thestate (BYGL 2010-28, 10/21/10) and BYGLers were about to conclude thiswould be another no-show year for the black and yellow striped marauders.

Yellowjackets are found in Ohio throughout the growing season; however, nestpopulations reach their zenith in late summer to early fall. Fertilized queensspend the winter outside of the nests from which they developed; alone and inprotected locations such as under loose tree bark. The overwintered queensstart looking for suitable nesting sites as soon as they warm-up in the spring. All

species of yellowjackets in Ohio build circular to oblong paper nests. The non-native GERMAN (EUROPEAN) (Vespulagermanica) and COMMON (Vespula vulgaris) YELLOWJACKETS build nests underground or occasionally in hollow trees,rock crevices, or crevices in buildings. The native EASTERN YELLOWJACKETS (Vespula maculifrons) build their nestsunderground and AERIAL YELLOWJACKETS (Dolichovespula arenaria) build exposed nests in trees, shrubs, or onbuildings.

Overwintered queens start laying eggs once they have constructed a few brood cells in their small nests. Sterile workers that develop from these cells soon join thequeen in gathering food and expanding the nest. Eventually, the queen is only involved with laying eggs. From late-spring through the summer, the ever-expandingnumbers of yellowjacket workers keep busy enlarging their nest and foraging for caterpillars, sawfly larvae, and other soft-bodied insects. They use their powerfulmandibles to grind-up these protein-rich meat items to feed to developing yellowjacket larvae. Thus, throughout much of the season, yellowjackets are consideredbeneficial insects.

However, in late-summer to early fall, drones (males) and new queens begin to develop in the nests. These new-comers do not require protein since they are notgrowing; they need energy from carbohydrates. So, they lounge around the nest begging the workers for sweets. In an effort to appease these freeloaders, the workerssearch for foods that have this much needed energy boost, such as soda, donuts, hamburgers, and French fries; the fine cuisine severed at picnics, ball parks, andother outdoor gatherings! Thankfully for the over-worked workers, nest populations of adults begin to peak at about this time with 5,000 or more workers in the colony.

As fall comes to an end, the new queens and drones leave their nest to mate, and the queens seek protected overwintering sites. The colony from which they developed

dies during the winter; yellowjacket nests only last one season. This means that there is no point in trying to kill yellowjacket colonies at this time of the year since they willeventually die-out on their own; with no fanfare for the poor overworked workers.

For more information, see:

University of Kentucky Entomology EntFact

E. MEGA WASPS ON THE WING.Curtis Young reported receiving an email containing several images of GIANT ICHNEUMON WASPS (Megarhyssa macrurus)in a jar. These incredibly large and strikingly, beautifully colored wasps are a sight to behold, and it appears that they areactive once again in Ohio. With as large and brightly colored as these wasps are, it is surprising how few people have everseen one or know what they are.

The giant ichneumon wasps in the images sent to Curtis have brown bodiesthat are nearly 2" in length, marked with black and yellow stripes andtransparent wings. The female wasp has a very long (up to 4") thread-likeovipositor. These wasps are able to thread their 4"-long ovipositor into the woodof the dead tree, where they deposit an egg in the tunnel of another waspcalled the PIGEON TREMEX HORNTAIL (Tremex columba). The larvae of thepigeon horntail are wood borers tunneling deep within the trunks and branchesof the dead tree. However, they were not the causative agent of the death of the

trees. They are only attracted to dying or recently dead host trees, especially American elm trees killed by Dutch elmdisease. When the ichneumon larva hatches, it will find the Tremex larva in its tunnel, attach itself to the horntail larva, andeventually eat it. After the ichneumon larva finishes feeding, it pupates, metamorphs, and then will emerge the following year.Although ferocious looking, the giant ichneumons are unable to sting with their enormous ovipositors. Both wasps are magnificent specimens of nature to be observedand marveled.

For more information, see:

Colorado State University's Pigeon Tremex Horntail and the Giant Ichneumon WaspTexas A&M's Ichneumon Wasp

4. DISEASE DIGEST.A. LATEST BLIGHT ON TOMATOES.

*Erik Draper reported that he visited a commercial vegetable grower who raised the question if any LATE BLIGHT had beenfound in Northeast Ohio this year. Because of the potential for a quick loss of tomato and potato plants, Erik went out tocheck the tomato field. After close examination, it was determined that only the tomato foliage was showing the classicsymptoms of late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Late blight is extremely infectious and truly one of the most devastatingfungal diseases of tomatoes and potatoes. Late blight lesions appear on tomato leaves as pale bluish-green, water-soakedspots. These leaf infections may be circular or irregular in appearance and most often have a pale yellowish-green borderthat is adjacent to healthy tissue. These leaf lesions rapidly enlarge and the dying tissue transitions from brown to purplish-black.

Infections can also occur on the stems of the plants and the infected areas appear as brown-black bands around the stems.Both green and red fruit can be infected by this fungal pathogen. On the fruit, the infected area appears as a brown,roughened, hard blister. When conditions favor disease development; namely, moist, cool weather, entire plants may be

killed in as little as 3-5 days. The best approach for homeowners to control this disease is to immediately pull out all affected plants and completely destroy them byburning or bagging the infected plants and fruit and put them into the trash. Do not plant tomatoes in that spot for at least one year and be sure to pull up and destroyany volunteer tomato seedlings next year. For commercial growers, there are specific fungicides that will effectively prevent and control infections by the late blightfungus. For a discussion on which fungicides to use, check out this website http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~vegnet/news/currentvn2009.htm.

For more information, see:

OSU Extension Factsheet HYG 3102-95, "Late Blight of Potato and Tomato"Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center, Late blight onTomato

B. HORTICULTURIST CLEANSE THY LANDSCAPE.Sanitation is an important key to good disease management. There is a great quote over a century ago from the Russian plant pathologist Antonin Woronin, whodeclared, "The only cure for cabbage hernia is fire!" Until recently cabbage was generally not considered an ornamental plant, but Woronin's point still applies to us in theGreen Industry. He was talking about a disease now known as club root of cabbage, caused by a primitive organism known as Plasmodiophora brassicae, and what hemeant was that they had no cabbages with good genetic resistance to "cabbage hernia" and no pesticides to control it, and no way to seriously modify the environmentconducive to disease. However, they could control it by sanitation by getting rid of the pathogen, in this case by burning the infested fields after harvesting whatever theycould each year. By burning the remaining herniated cabbage debris they were reducing the amount of P. brassicae inoculum that overwintered to the next year.

We need to do the same thing with ornamental diseases, both during a disease outbreak and after that outbreak. Rose black spot is a good example. Each spring whenblack spot susceptible roses leaf out they are exposed to infections by the D. rosae. Where does the fungus come from? From spores that survived the winter on oldblack spotted leaves and canes. You cannot prevent spores from blowing in from other areas but you can greatly lessen the amount of fungal inoculum and the amount ofblack spot disease by cleaning up infested debris from the previous year - OR THIS FALL. Not only that, but since this sanitation effort is never perfect, it is also importantto clean up the black spotted leaves that develop during the current season's infections - do not wait until the end of the year to clean up the planting.

Another example of sanitation to help control the pathogen is with hollyhock rust disease (Puccinia malvacearum). The rust pustules that are at first orange, then brick-red, and eventually chocolate-brown are a common sight for almost everyone who has ever grown hollyhocks. This fungus, like the rose black spot fungus has arepeating cycle that just goes on and on as the season progresses, so removing infested leaves during and after the season is one big key to getting the disease undercontrol. Otherwise, it just gets worse and worse. Fungicides help but must be applied multiple times and will not be enough without the help of removing pathogeninoculum when infestations do occur. A further issue with hollyhock rust is a further aspect of sanitation - removal of additional hosts of P. malvacearum. It turns out thatthis fungus also infects a number of hollyhock's relatives in the Malvaceae family, including weeds such as the round-leaved mallow, Malva rotundifolia.

Sanitation is also one of the sometimes unrecognized results of other common horticultural practices. When possible, deadheading of geraniums is often recommendedin order to make the planting more attractive and to encourage better bloom production. An important additional benefit often accrues when Botrytis gray mold is part ofthe package. The Botrytis fungus thrives on senescing, declining plant tissue. Think of a healthy florist's geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) without any diseaseproblems. No matter how healthy, it will develop senescing tissue during the season, namely on blossoms as they age. These dying blossoms are a real treat for theBotrytis fungus which colonizes the petals, which fall on healthy leaf tissue below, where the fungus proliferates and, especially on the now moistened and shaded leaftissue, the result is Botrytis infections of the leaves. Unless one deadheads.

5. TURF TIPS.A. ARMILLARIA 'SHROOMS.

Curtis Young reported that he is seeing numerous mounds of Armillaria spp. mushrooms sprouting in landscapes andwoodlots in northern Ohio. The appearance of the mushrooms, which are sometimes called "honey mushrooms" due to theiramber color, provide evidence that nearby trees are possibly being colonized by an Armillaria root rotting fungus or thatthere are old long dead roots in the soil that are being decomposed by the fungus.

The Armillaria genus includes the notoriously pathogenic species, A. melia,which was once thought to be the most malevolent form of this fungus, and thespecies most commonly associated with the disease "Armillaria root rot."However, in recent years, pathologists have determined that there are anumber of other species of Armillaria that may also infect woody plants. In theirbook "Diseases of Trees and Shrub, 2nd Edition," Sinclair and Lyon indicate thatthere are 10 known species of Armillaria that occur in North America. Some, likeA. calvescens, and A. cepistipes, are only mildly plant pathogenic, while others

like A. melia and A. ostoyae are aggressive plant pathogens.

The Armillaria fungi are collectively referred to as "shoestring" fungi for their black shoestring-like structures (calledrhizomorphs) found under the bark, around roots, or in the soil. The fungi may also appear as white, fan-shaped mycelialmats beneath the bark. The rhizomorphs grow freely through the soil and penetrate roots, causing new infections. They arethe principal means for the tree-to-tree spread of the pathogenic species of Armillaria fungi.

The outward symptoms of infection include: thinning foliage that becomes discolored, turning yellow, then brown; reduced shoot and foliar growth; and branch declineand dieback. The pace of symptom development varies with trees vigor. Trees that are stressed by other factors, such as drought or pest infestations, may rapidlydecline and die. Lesions or cankers may form at the base of infected trees, and removal of the bark over the affected areas will reveal the mycelial mats andrhizomorphs. Since the fungi spread through the soil, tree decline may occur simultaneously to groups of trees.

Identifying different species of Armillaria in the field is difficult. All will produce rhizomorphs. An odd characteristic ofArmillaria is that they are bioluminescent. Indeed, the eerie greenish-blue glow seen in forests after dark, commonly called"foxfire," may indicate the presence of Armillaria. However, this characteristic will not illuminate the exact species, nor is it asure-fire identifier of Armillaria since there are other glow-in-the-dark fungi. Mushrooms, which are the fruiting structures ofthe fungi, do provide a more reliable identification feature, with the honey mushrooms most often being associated with A.melia.

A word of caution: Armillaria mushrooms are considered edible; however, eating wild mushrooms should be viewed as ahigh-risk endeavor. Their harvest should left to cautious, well-trained experts. There are also look-alike species that crop upin yards and in other areas that are considered poisonous or at least non-edible such as one found by Curtis on the OSULima Campus, the JACK O'LANTREN MUSHROOM (Omphalotus illudens). This mushroom grows in a similar form as thehoney mushroom (Armillaria spp.). One of the differences between the two is the color of the flesh of the mushrooms. Honey

mushrooms have off-white flesh while the Jack O'Lantren mushroom flesh is bright-orange to pale-orange. Thesemushrooms can found growing side by side. It has been reported in some articles and other literature that mushrooms of different species that grow in lawns can beharmful to pets, especially dogs that eat them. Many pets will avoid them, but there are a few that develop a taste for them and if they get the wrong one, it can beproblematic.

Additionally, most extension publications will warn or at least caution people not to eat wild mushrooms or other fungal fruiting bodies unless one is well acquainted withthe different species. Many species are poisonous and ONLY an expert can distinguish between edible and poisonous species. There are no simple tests that can beused to identify poisonous mushrooms.

Small children tend to put anything, including mushrooms, in their mouths, so remove all obvious fungal reproductivestructures from the yard before allowing a child to play there.

Remember the quote, "There are old mushroom hunters, and bold mushroom hunters, but no old, bold mushroom hunters!"

For more information, see:

USDA Forest Service Insect and Disease LeafletJames Worrell, USDA Forest Service, Forest Pathology Web Site Fact Sheet

6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.A. ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE UPDATE.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) will be hosting a third public meetingthis evening on September 22, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Bethel CommunityCenter in Bethel, Ohio. This is the first public meeting since the expansion ofthe quarantine to include an additional 88 properties in nearby MonroeTownship.

Since July 5, 2011, 3,108 trees have been confirmed to be infested with theAsian longhorned beetle (ALB). The number of total trees surveyed since July 5totals 38,897. Residents in the area and across Ohio are being encouraged tolook for signs and symptoms of ALB and become a beetle buster or beetledetective. If you suspect ALB anywhere in Ohio, you are asked to call 855-252-6450. Up-to-date information about Ohio's infestation can be found on the ODA

website at http://www.agri.ohio.gov/ including daily updates and maps.

For more information, see:

Beetle BustersBeetle DetectivesODA Website

B. PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDES LOST IN WEEDS.Randy Zondag cautioned growers currently applying pre-emergent herbicides that applying over the top of a thick weed canopy could reduce the efficacy of theapplication. Much of the herbicide will be caught and redirected by existing foliage, likely missing the targeted soil below. Current weed growth should be removed, or atleast significantly reduced, prior to pre-emergent application. Non-selective or burndown products would work, but be aware that seeds have already been producedand dropped, so post emergent use will not prevent the accumulation of seed for next year's crop of weeds.

7. WEATHERWATCH.The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the datesfrom September 1-20, 2011, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 6:05 p.m.

BYGLers from the north reported receiving multiple rainfalls in the past week; a far cry and quite a difference from last fall. In fact, Erik Draper in Geauga County reportedthat his area of the state had received 4 1/2" since the last BYGL conference call. Rain wasn't as plentiful this past week in places south such as Hamilton County.

Rain this week caused the first ever diversion of the passenger shuttles at Farm Science Review's Gwynne Conservation Area in London, Ohio. The typical tractor ledtours around the conservation area was limited to paved surfaces on Wednesday afternoon after Mother Nature's moisture caused ruts and a bit of slip-sliding along theroutes. This is the first time this has every happened during the review.

Weather Region of Ave. High Ave. Low Total Normal Soil Temp F

Station Ohio Temp F Temp F Precip." Precip." 2"/3"

Ashtabula NE 73.1 58.8 0.00 3.0 70.55/72.83

Wooster NE 74.8 57.1 2.03 2.1 71.04/69.75

Hoytville NW 74.3 55.9 3.66 1.8 73.51/68.52

Columbus Central 77.8 58.6 2.46 2.8 69.60/68.39

Piketon South 76.0 57.2 3.12 1.2 76.27/74.40

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

8. COMING ATTRACTIONS.A. ISA PRESENTS BUCKING HARDWOOD LOGS FOR URBAN PROFESSIONALS.The Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Aboriculture (ISA) is offering one more one-day, hands-on training session to help urban foresters and tree careprofessionals build the skills necessary to make informed decisions about how they can utilize trees to their highest use in any given market and how to find and createhigher uses and better markets. Instructor Brian Knox, president of Sustainable Resource Management, will incorporate both classroom and outdoor learning in the formof slide shows, demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Topics covered will include hardwood defects, grading and scaling, and expert bucking techniques. SAF (4 hrcat 1) and 3.5 ISA continuing education credits will be available.

The last training date and location is September 23, City of Strongsville, Ehrnfelt Recreation Center, Conference Room, 18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville, Ohio. Allprograms will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Plans are to offer a fourth session on November 15 in the city of Bowling Green, Ohio. Registration for this eventwill be available next week.

For questions about the three scheduled training sessions, contact Ohio Chapter ISA at 614-771-7494 or info@ohiochapterisa.org . Additional program information canbe found by visiting www.UrbanWoodExchange.org

B. AUTUMN ARBOBLITZ 2011.The Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens is joining forces with the OSU Tree Campus USA team, and the OSU Extension Why Trees Matter team along with manyother colleagues and colleges on campus to orchestrate ArboBlitz 2011.

What is Arboblitz? It is a four day event on the OSU campus that will showcase the importance of trees on our campus October 5-8, 2011. In addition to tree lectures,tree tours, tree readings, a tree-shirt design competition, tree climbing demonstrations, tree pest assessments, and tree care demonstrations, the event will also trainstudents, faculty, staff, volunteers and the central Ohio community to inventory and map the trees on a portion of our campus.

The tree inventory and mapping activities will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 7-8, 2011 from 1-4 p.m. Pre-registration for helping with the tree inventory isrequired. You can sign up to help with both days or just one. Training will be provided on both days. Meet in the lobby of Knowlton School of Architecture, 275 WWoodruff Avenue.

Also the Disease and Pests of Trees Diagnostic Workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 5, 2-5 p.m. in the Ohio Union Traditions Room. The $50 registration feewill be fully subsidized by our ArboBlitz grant, HOWEVER, you still have to register and can do so on line at the ArboBlitz web site. We have limited space for this activityand pre-registration is required.

A full schedule of ArboBlitz events and registration information can be found at: http://arboblitz2011.weebly.com/ . These are free events that are open to the public.

Why have an Arboblitz? Ohio State University is applying for certification in the Tree Campus USA program in 2011. A key component of this program is an integratedand sustained effort to involve students and prospective students, faculty, staff, alumni, Ohio businesses, and the surrounding community in service- learning projectsthat connect the One Ohio State Framework Plan to the campus as an outdoor learning laboratory. The One Ohio State Framework Plan establishes 9 districts on theColumbus Campus. The target district for the 2011 ArboBlitz tree inventory is District 1, which includes the Academic Corridor North and the Oval; from Neil to High andWoodruff to Haggerty (South Oval).

Our goal with ArboBlitz 2011 is to focus awareness and determine the value of this living, growing physical space for all of us at Ohio State University. For new studentsand ongoing students as well as the broader community, this awareness of physical and biological environment is essential to orienting us and to centering us on thefoundations of our place at The Ohio State University.

C. CINCINNATI AREA PROFESSIONAL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK OCTOBER MEETING.The Cincinnati Area Professional Green Infrastructure Network (CAPGIN) will hold its next meeting on October 12, 2011 from 2:45-5:00 p.m. at the Clark Montessori Juniorand Senior High School, 3030 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208.

Clark is a brand new LEED silver school that is a showcase of the latest in green infrastructure - very extensive rain gardens, permeable paving, and green roofs. Themeeting will be hosted by Pam Simmons and Rose Seeger, Green City Resources, 5912 Kellogg Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45230.

All those who are professionally involved with landscape stormwater management are invited to attend and to consider joining CAPGIN. For more information, go tohttp://capgin.osu.edu/ or contact Dave Dyke at dyke.15@cfaes.osu.edu or 513 505-1202.

D. 6th ANNUAL WHY TREES MATTER FORUM. Register now for the 6th Annual OSU Extension Why Trees Matter Forum, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wooster, across from the OARDCCampus. The Forum is for all those interested in Ohio's community forests: street tree commissions, mayors, community development and economic developmentmanagers, utility companies, nurserymen and women, landscapers, and all citizens of Ohio interested in the resources of trees in our urban and suburban areas.Registration is $60 for this 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. program. Keynoters this year include Ralph Sievert, Director of Park Forestry, with the City of Minneapolis and Stan Gehrt with OSU Extension, School of Environmental and NaturalResources and speakers from the OSUE Why Trees Matter team including Kathy Smith, Amy Stone, Maureen Austin and Jim Chatfield with updates on programsthroughout Ohio.

For complete details and to register go to http://woostercenter.osu.edu .

E. 2012 OHIO COMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES SET.Next year's conference dates have been set. While the events are 6 months out, take the opportunity to get them in your calendar today. Here are the dates: January 31,2012, Kalahari Conference Center, Sandusky; February 8, 2012, John S. Knight Center, Akron; February 15, 2012, Dayton Convention Center; and March 8, 2012,Columbus Convention Center.

9. BYGLOSOPHY."I suppose that for most people one of the darker joys of gardening is that once you've got started it's not at all hard to find someone who knows a little bit less than you."- From "Humorous quotes on Gardening" by Allen Lacy

APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES:Buckeye TurfEmerald Ash Borer InformationOhio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science PlantfactsOhio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer ProgramThe C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)USDA APHIS Beetle Buster Website (Asian Longhorned Beetle)USDA APHIS Beetle Detective Website (Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer)

Following were the participants in the September 20th conference call: Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Jim Chatfield (Horticulture and Crop Science); DaveDyke (Hamilton); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Cindy Meyer (Butler); Amy Stone (Lucas); Nancy Taylor (C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); CurtisYoung (Van Wert) and Randy Zondag (Lake).BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich fischnich.1@cfaes.osu.edu to subscribe. Additional fact sheetinformation on any of these articles may be found through the OSU FactSheet database http://plantfacts.osu.edu/ .

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ; http://buckeyegardening.com/ to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT). Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source iscredited.

BYGL is available online at: http://bygl.osu.edu, a website sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the"Horticulture in Virtual Perspective." The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made toproduce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on anondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. Thisstatement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration andDirector, Ohio State University Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

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Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce

information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available toclientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity, or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteransstatus. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

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